area
with aria-labelledby
attribute
Screen reader compatibility
ARIA HTML WCAG
Sep 11, 2022
Expected Result: works in a screen reader
Actual Result: causes problems in 64 screen reader / browser combinations
WCAG Technique: ARIA10
Code used for this test:
<img src='1234.png' alt='this is alt text' usemap='#area_aria_labelledby_map1'>
<map id='area_aria_labelledby_map1' name='area_aria_labelledby_map1'>
<area aria-labelledby='left_caption' coords='0,0,100,100' href='left_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
<area aria-labelledby='right_caption' coords='200,0,300,100' href='right_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
</map>
<span id='left_caption'>this is left aria labelled by text</span>
<span id='right_caption'>this is right aria labelled by text</span>
Reliability Trend
This graph shows reliability over time for this code in NVDA, JAWS and Voiceover. Other screen readers don't have enough historical data yet to plot trends.
Change History
Last updated: September 11, 2022
NVDA with Chrome Stable - OK from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2022.2
NVDA with IE Causes problems in NVDA 2019.2
NVDA with FF Better - caused problems in NVDA 2019.2, but now OK in NVDA 2022.2
JAWS with Chrome Stable - OK from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
JAWS with IE Better - caused problems in JAWS 13.0.852, but now OK in JAWS 2019.1912.1
JAWS with FF Better - caused problems in JAWS 2018.1811.2, but now OK in JAWS 2022.2207.25
VoiceOver macOS Causes problems from VoiceOver macOS 10.9 to VoiceOver macOS 12.5
VoiceOver iOS Causes problems from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 15.6
WindowEyes with IE Better - caused problems in WindowEyes 8.4, but now OK in WindowEyes 9.2
Dolphin with IE Causes problems in Dolphin SR 15.05
SaToGo with IE Causes problems in SaToGo 3.4.96.0
Screen reader | Browser | Mode | Notes | What the user hears |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Chrome 105 | Reading | Link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 105 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | FF102 | Reading | This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is left aria labelled by text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | FF102 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link, this is alt text graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, link, this is alt text graphic. | |
![]() | Edge 105 | Reading | Link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text | |
![]() | Edge 105 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Reading | Link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | FF91 | Reading | This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is left aria labelled by text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | FF91 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link, this is alt text graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, link, this is alt text graphic. | |
![]() | Edge 94 | Reading | Link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text | |
![]() | Edge 94 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Reading | Link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | FF78 | Reading | This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is left aria labelled by text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | FF78 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link, this is alt text graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, link, this is alt text graphic. | |
![]() | Edge 92 | Reading | Link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text | |
![]() | Edge 92 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Reading | Link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | FF68 | Reading | No indication link role exists | Graphic, this is alt text, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text. |
![]() | FF68 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | link text blank, labels read out after links | Graphic, this is alt text, link, link, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Reading | Link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | FF60 | Reading | No indication link role exists | Graphic, this is alt text, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text. |
![]() | FF60 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | link text blank, labels read out after links | Graphic, this is alt text, link, link, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF60 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Graphic link, this is left aria labelled by text. Graphic link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | FF60 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link, this is alt text, graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, link, this is alt text, graphic | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | link text blank, labels read out after links | Graphic, this is alt text, link, link, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF48 | Reading | No indication AREA links exist | Graphic, this is alt text, this is alt text, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria. Labelled by text. |
![]() | FF48 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | link text blank, labels read out after links | Graphic, this is alt text, link, link, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF40 | Reading | No indication AREA links exist | Graphic, this is alt text, this is alt text, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by. Text. |
![]() | FF40 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | link text blank, labels read out after links | Graphic, this is alt text, link, link, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF28 | Reading | graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text | |
![]() | FF28 | Tabbing | silent for second tab onto second area | This is alt text, link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text, graphic - all read for 1st link |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | link text blank, labels read out after links | graphic, this is alt text, link, link, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name | |
![]() | FF28 | Reading | graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text | |
![]() | FF28 | Tabbing | silent for second tab onto second area | This is alt text, link, this is left aria labelled by text, link, this is right aria labelled by text, graphic - all read for 1st link |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text, link link, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name | |
![]() | Chrome 105 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 105 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF102 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | FF102 | Tabbing | This is alt text graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | Edge 105 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Edge 105 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF91 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | FF91 | Tabbing | This is alt text graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, link. This is right aria labelled by text, link. | |
![]() | Edge 94 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Edge 94 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF78 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | FF78 | Tabbing | This is alt text graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | Edge 92 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Edge 92 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map read only, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF68 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | FF68 | Tabbing | This is alt text graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | This is alt text, graphic. Image map link, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, image map link. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link. | |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Tabbing | Tab, this is alt text, image map read only, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. Tab, this is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF60 | Reading | ARIA label ignored and link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link graphic, left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF60 | Tabbing | Tab, this is alt text graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. Tab, this is right aria labelled by text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Tab, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link. Tab, this is right aria labelled by text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF52 | Reading | No indication that graphic areas are links | Graphic, this is alt text. Graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Graphic, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | FF52 | Tabbing | Tab, this is alt text graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, image map. Tab, this is right aria labelled by text, image map. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Tab, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link. Tab, this is right aria labelled by text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF48 | Reading | No indication that graphic areas are links | Graphic, this is alt text. Graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Graphic, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | FF48 | Tabbing | This is alt text graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, image map. This is right aria labelled by text, image map. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, image map link. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF40 | Reading | No indication that graphic areas are links | Graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text. Graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Graphic, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | FF41 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, image map. This is right aria labelled by text, image map. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, image map link. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF29 | Reading | no indication of links | Graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text. Graphic, this is left aria labelled by text. Graphic, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | FF29 | Tabbing | Labels all run together, labelled by announced twice, silence on second tab | This is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text, image map. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria labelled by text. Image map link, this is right aria labelled by text. | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, image map link. This is right aria labelled by text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF29 | Reading | no indication of links | graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text, graphic, this is left aria labelled by text, graphic, this is right aria labelled by text |
![]() | FF29 | Tabbing | labels all run together, silence on second tab | This is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text, this is left aria labelled by text, this is right aria labelled by text, image map |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | graphic, this is alt text, image map link, this is left aria labelled by text, image map link, this is right aria labelled by text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left aria labelled by text, image map link, this is right aria labelled by text, image map link | |
![]() | FF28 | Reading | no indication of image map links | graphic, this is alt text |
![]() | FF28 | Tabbing | wrong alt read out when tabbing | This is alt text, graphic for first area, silence for second area |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | URLs read out instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY | graphic, this is alt text, image map link, test slash left underline arrow, image map link, test slash right underline arrow |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | URLs read out instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY | Test slash left underline arrow, image map link, test slash right underline arrow, image map link |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | This is alt text. Link, this is left aria labelled by text. Link, this is right aria labelled by text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link, this is left aria labelled by text. Link, this is right aria labelled by text | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | reads out filename | This is alt text, link, support slash test slash left arrow dot HTM, link, support slash test slash right arrow dot HTM |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name | |
![]() | Safari 15.6 | Reading | reads out filename instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 15.6 | Tabbing | Reads out filename instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 15.0 | Reading | reads out filename instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 15.0 | Tabbing | Reads out filename instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 14.1 | Reading | reads out filename | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 14.1 | Tabbing | Reads out filename | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 13.0 | Reading | reads out filename | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 13.0 | Tabbing | Reads out filename | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 12.1 | Reading | reads out filename | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 12.1 | Tabbing | Reads out filename | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 10.1.2 | Reading | reads out filename | This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 10.1.2 | Tabbing | Reads out filename | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 9.1.2 | Reading | reads out filename | This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 9.1.2 | Tabbing | Reads out filename | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 8.0.6 | Reading | reads out filename | This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 8.0.6 | Tabbing | Reads out filename | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 7.0.3 | Reading | reads out filename | This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari 7.0.3 | Tabbing | reads out filename | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM |
![]() | Safari iOS 15.6 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. URLs read out instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY when Next Link gesture is used. | This is alt text. (Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 14.7 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. URLs read out instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY when Next Link gesture is used. | This is alt text. (Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 13.3 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. URLs read out instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY when Next Link gesture is used. | This is alt text. (Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 12.4 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. URLs read out instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY when Next Link gesture is used. | This is alt text. (Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 11.4 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. URLs read out instead of ARIA-LABELLEDBY when Next Link gesture is used. | This is alt text. (Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 10.3 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. |
![]() | Safari iOS 9.1 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. |
![]() | Safari iOS 8.4 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. |
![]() | Safari iOS 7.1 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No link labels read for AREA | This is alt text. Link. Link. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | no link labels read | Link. Link |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | no link labels read | link, link |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | no link labels read | link, link |
SortSite rules: AccHtmlAreaNoAlt
Test notes
All tests were carried out with screen reader factory settings. JAWS in particular has a wide variety of settings controlling exactly what gets spoken.
Screen readers allow users to interact in different modes, and can produce very different results in each mode. The modes used in these tests are:
- Reading Content read using the “read next” command in a screen reader
- Tabbing Content read using the “tab” key in a screen reader
- Heading Content read using the “next heading” key in a screen reader
- Touch Content read when touching an area of screen on a mobile device
In the “What the user hears” column:
- Commas represent short pauses in screen reader voicing
- Full Stops represent places where voicing stops, and the “read next” or “tab” or “next heading” command is pressed again
- Ellipsis … represent a long pause in voicing
- (Brackets) represent voicing that requires a keystroke to hear